Cheryl Cole Rocks Basics and Neutrals on InStyle U.K. Cover

Cheryl Cole rocks an array of basic and neutral ensembles and makeup in the December 2011 issue of the U.K. edition of InStyle, but despite the muted color palette, Cole still stuns with those penetrating doe eyes and pale pink painted "come hither" lips. She's a stunner! Her cover look is utterly classic.

While 2011 was tough for Cole – she contracted malaria and was bounced from her role as a judge on the American version of 'X Factor,' despite having been a cornerstone judge on the British edition -- she looks resplendent in the InStyle spread, flashing her megawatt smile, a shaggy, honey brown, faux bob and those gorgeous eyes.We're used to seeing her with darker, longer hair and this softer look suits her tenfold.

Cole looks equally stylish in a trim and chic, mustard-colored leather dress paired with black leather gloves and a color-blocked shift with white gloves! How proper. We also love the black blouse with voluminous sleeves that's she's rocking, too. Cole also steams up the camera in the snap where her head is cocked and she is dressed in a black top with white peter pan collar. She's really playing with her style in the spread.

In the feature story, Cole, 28, talks about the life-threatening illness, saying, "I had to take good care of myself and I was told to stop exercising and to gain weight to get well. I just ate everything." While it sucked to catch such an awful sickness, it did help her narrow her focus on what's truly important. She finished, "(Contracting malaria) opened my eyes to health and things I hadn’t focused on before. It’s now less about work, work, work and more about making time to chill and be with my friends and family.”

Cole is a fashionista at heart and is designing a shoe line, which will launch next month. She also spoke about her desire to follow in the footsteps of other pop stars and have her own scent! "That is a dream of mine, but I would want to do it my way," she declared.

The singer also spoke about her love of tattoos, saying,"They are addictive. If it was up to me, I would have my whole back done." Wow, she's a daring pop star, isn't she? She continued, "My friends say 'Cheryl, please, you might regret it,' but to me, it's art. You should have whatever you want and do what you want – what's beautiful is being you. People are too judgmental and have too much to say about other people."